A full service flyshop just steps from the Gunpowder River

Hatching Mayfly Nymphs On The Gunpowder River

The mayfly nymphs living under the rocks in the Gunpowder river are beginning to hatch in good numbers. Many anglers are experiencing good dry fly fishing during the hendrickson emergence and spinnerfall. The trout are really eating nymph patterns under the surface, especially at the end of the swing. The real mayflies are drifting down river to hatch in mass it seems, as the fish can be seen flashing and chasing bugs up to the surface. Just turn over a few rocks in a swift riffle area and you will quickly see the river is full of life. While fishing in the evening I spotted numerous March Brown spinners, Quill Gordons, Sulphurs and Hendrickson Spinners toward dark. Before the light got too low, I started turning over a few rocks and found nearly two dozen nymphs on one rock alone. I began filming them on the rock and then put a number of them in a Solo cup we use at the counter for flies. It is easy to see why wet flies and even hackle-less nymph patterns are working on the swing, once you watch these nymphs move in the water. The latest video features a few minutes of close up footage of the main staple of the trout’s diet for the coming weeks. The shop has a variety of nymph patterns in the correct sizes and colors to match these nymphs.